Display

The Xperia V displays everything in 720p resolution on the 4.3" Reality display. With Full HD screens already upon us, the Xperia V will find it hard to get anyone impressed, but to be fair, the screen is well above average. At 342ppi, the Bravia-backed Reality display is quite sharp and pleasant to look at.

Sony used the second generation Mobile BRAVIA engine for the Xperia V and it's supposed to improve contrast and enhance colors. In reality, viewing the screen head on will leave you pleased but as soon as you tilt the device to the side even slightly, the colors begin to look washed out and contrast is heading south at a frightful pace.

It's by no means a deal breaker and most people should be happy with the Xperia V's screen most of the time.

The Xperia V

The display uses a standard RGB matrix arrangement, which you can see in the picture below. As for contract itself - it's passable but far from the standard setters.

The Xperia V and Xperia T displays under a microscope

Contrast ratio

Nokia 808 PureView4.698

Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III3.419

Samsung Omnia W3.301

Samsung Galaxy S3.155

Nokia N93.069

Samsung Galaxy Note2.970

HTC One S2.901

Samsung Galaxy S II2.832

Huawei Ascend P12.655

Nokia Lumia 9002.562

Samsung Galaxy S III mini2.422

Motorola RAZR i2.366

Apple iPhone 4S2.269

HTC One X2.158

Nokia N82.144

Apple iPhone 42.016

Sony Ericsson Xperia ray1.955

Samsung Galaxy Camera1.938

Sony Xperia V1.792

Sony Xperia U1.758

LG Optimus 4X HD1.691

HTC One V1.685

LG Optimus Vu1.680

HTC Desire V1.646

LG Optimus 3D1.542

Nokia Asha 3021.537

Nokia Lumia 6101.432

Gigabyte GSmart G13551.361

HTC Desire C1.300

LG Optimus L71.269

LG Optimus L91.227

Meizu MX1.221

Samsung Galaxy Pocket1.180

Sony Xperia tipo1.166

Samsung Galaxy mini 21.114

Handling

The Xperia V isn't the most compact of smartphones with a 4.3" screen but the surprisingly lightweight body is a pleasure to handle, and the finish is great.

Single-handed operation is very comfortable and the dust and water resistance are something many users will appreciate. The flipside is a non-hot-swappable microSD card and the absence of a proper shutter key.

The Xperia V held in hand

Overall though, it's a great-looking smartphone - without overdoing it - and one that's very secure and comfortable to hold.